Small Steps Foundation organized SSF Diwali Dandia Nite on Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Centerville Junior High School Gymnasium. The kid friendly event was a grand success. Combining the fervor of Navratra, a Hindu 10-day prayer and religious period, with Diwali a festival of Lights, was a great idea to get the Indo-American community in the festive mode of Diwali.

Folks from all over the bay area attended this ticketed event, and attendance was over 800 people, not counting children under 5 who were free.

This event of Indo-American audience was one of the biggest in Fremont, after Festival of India (FIA) in August. With a host of volunteers to help park, welcome, register, decorate and give Dandia lessons, the event was also the most organized. Live band music by Dr. Sharvari Dixit and troupe, one of the best Garba and Dandia DJs in the bay area, mesmerized the audience and got the momentum of Garba and Dandia going.

An extra busy kids corner managed by FastracKids International, professionally and creatively engaged the kids with Diwali Crafts, Diyas and Rangoli drawing and coloring. Snacks were provided by Chaat Cafˇ- a very well known Indian fast food outlet chain in Bay area.

Sponsors included Skylite TV Communications, Shriram Properties, Majestic Builders, Home Mortgage Consultant - Neil Seth from Wells Fargo, Mancini's Sleepworld, New Century Executive Laxman Jethani, Anup Chabria, Crafts and Baskets, Cedar Dental Dental, Star Dental, Target New Park Mall, East Bay Dental, Cricbay, Curious Minds Online and several others. The Sitaare TV show recorded the highlights of the event and will air them on their channel soon.

Small Steps Foundation collected about $7,000 from ticket sales and $4,000 from sponsorships. Funds collected will go toward support programs for education of underprivileged children in India. Small Steps Foundation wants to bring the Indo-American community in the Bay Area together through cultural and festive events. Small Steps Foundation plans to have more such kid-friendly events in future, like Holi Fungama in March, which will be an Arts competition with kid performances.